Rasa – Hujjat al-Islam Naqawi stated that the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir must hold firm to ‘Urwat al-Wuthqa’ [‘the firmest handle’] in their resistance against tyranny.
RNA – In an exclusive interview with Rasa News Agency, Hujjat al-Islam Sayyed Jawad Naqawi, the principal of Jami’at Urwat al-Wuthqa Islamic Seminary in the Pakistani city of Lahore said, “Last week, the most grievous events were witnessed in Kashmir in which ordinary Kashmiris were martyred on a daily basis. In one single day, seven or eight Kashmiris were martyred and on other days, at least several people are martyred. Their leaders have been imprisoned and tortured. There are curfews and the firing of bullets is occurring everywhere. Small children are being tortured. There was a picture published of a six-month-old infant who was shot with a pellet gun in the eye and died.”
The Pakistani Shi’ah scholar added, “The sad thing is that there is no voice raised in regard to Kashmir – not even from Pakistan. In the past, at least there was a strong voice raised from Pakistan in but now due to internal pressure, continuous pressure from India and due to dangers which India has created for Pakistan, that voice is also suppressed. Our media and politicians don’t even issue statements anymore.”
Hujjat al-Islam Naqawi said, “How can they issue statements when the opposition itself is under pressure, they are imprisoned and the government is causing various problems for the opposition and the situation isn’t being resolved, although some journalists have mentioned that world must raise their voices for Kashmir. If there is strong support by the journalists then something can happen.”
His Eminence said, “The global organizations also haven’t raised their voices for Kashmir and haven’t shown any reaction to the atrocities being committed in Kashmir. Presently, it’s winter and the people of Kashmir are the victims of ultimate degree of oppression. May God give salvation to these oppressed people from the tyrants! The people of Kashmir are always resisting and have shown patience and struggled though they have not acquired their objectives.”
He stated, “The people of Kashmir must correct their direction and instead of taking support from the left and right, which are unstable means of support, they must obtain ‘Urwat al-Wuthqa,’ the firmest handle. The Quran has presented the formula for the firmest handle against the tyrants.”
Hujjat al-Islam Naqawi continued, saying, “The firmest handle is based on two pillars which the people of Kashmir must adopt: one is the rejection of tyranny and second is embracing the essence of God. If they can obtain this handle then certainly they will see success and the sacrifices which they have given will bear fruit.”
In conclusion, he prayed, “We pray to God to count these martyrs with martyrs of Islam and may God grant patience to their families and May God grant perseverance to the youths and people of Kashmir.”
The Indian forces have intensified their operation in Kashmir, killing a record number of 232 fights so far this year.
The disputed territory, over which India and Pakistan have fought three wars, is currently under the president’s rule after India dissolved the state assembly last month.
After the six-month tenure of the governor’s rule expired, the president’s rule was imposed in the region on December 20, which will continue for six months after which fresh elections are likely to be held.
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